The Specified Risk Material (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2000

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

1.  These Regulations give effect in part to Article 3.1 of Commission Decision 2000/418/EC regulating the use of material presenting risks as regards transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (OJ No. L158, 30.6.2000, p. 76). That provision requires member States to ensure that certain material from cattle, sheep and goats (“specified risk material”) is removed and destroyed in accordance with Annex I to the Decision. These Regulations amend the Specified Risk Material Regulations 1997 (S.I. 1997/2965, as already amended) in so far as they extend to England. Those Regulations extend to the whole of Great Britain.

2.  The principal amendment is to bring the definition of “specified risk material” in regulation 2(1) of S.I. 1997/2965 into line with the definition of that phrase in Commission Decision 2000/418/EC (regulation 2(2) to (5), (6)(a), (7) and (9)). As a consequence of the above amendment to the definition of “specified risk material”, an amendment is made to regulation 24(9)(b)(ii) of S.I. 1997/2965 (regulation 2(12) and (13)). That provision regulates the disposal of tallow derived from certain specified risk material. A consequential amendment is also made to regulation 14 (prohibition on the removal of brains and eyes) (regulation 2(11)).

3.  S.I. 1997/2965 is also amended so that—

(a) whole carcases of sheep and goats are specified risk material if they are removed to be rendered or incinerated whole from the place where they were slaughtered or died (regulation 2(6)(b)); and

(b) whole carcases of bovine animals are specified risk material if they are removed to be rendered or incinerated whole from the place where they were slaughtered or died (regulation 2(8)).

4.  In consequence of the amendments described in paragraph 3 above, regulation 12 of S.I. 1997/2965 (rendering whole carcases) is revoked by these Regulations (regulation 2(10)).

5.  A regulatory impact assessment has been prepared in respect of these Regulations. A copy of it has been placed in the library of each House of Parliament. Further copies of the assessment can be obtained from the Meat Hygiene Division of the Food Standards Agency, Ergon House, Horseferry Road, London SW1P 3WG.